Apparatus for performing axially-and-radially located operations on tubular construction

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for performing axially and radially located operations on a tubular metal construction. Specifically disclosed is a crimping operation. A crimping die assembly is mounted in a suitable frame connected to a pair of guide rails along which a slidable assembly is mounted for advancing a length of tubing to the die assembly. Means are provided to open and close the die assembly in its frame. A pin assembly mechanism is connected to the slidable assembly and cooperates with a pair of established elongated pattern bars which are disposed between the die assembly and the advancing means. The mechanism&#39;&#39;s pins are caused to register with the pattern bars so as to index the advancing assembly to one station to the next, along the length of the apparatus. Thus, the spacing between crimped ring elements along the length of the tubing is controlled, and an efficient, continuous operation is achieved. A pneumo-hydraulic pressure system is applied directly to the die assembly to actuate it in performing its crimping function.

United States Patent 1 Finkel Abraham M. et al.

[ 1 Apr. 3, 1973 [54] APPARATUS FOR PERFORMING AXIALLY-AND-RADIALLY LOCATED OPERATIONS ON TUBULAR CONSTRUCTION [75] lnventors: Abraham M. Finkel, North Hollywood; Michael Surwill, Burbank,

both of Calif.

[73] Assignee: Lockheed Aircraft Corporation,

Burbank, Calif.

[22] Filed: Sept. 28, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 184,556

[52] US. Cl. ..29/200 B, 29/282 [51] Int. Cl. ..B23p 19/00, B23p 19/04 [58] Field of Search ..29/200 B, 200 P, 234, 282,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,951,401 9/1960 Johnson ..29/282 2,954,064 9/1960 De Mers ....29/282 X 2,965,961 12/1960 Schindler et al ..29/454 3,019,520 2/1962 Woolley ..29/234 3,116,401 12/1963 Drugmand ....29/520 X 3,484,931 12/1969 Lindesmith et al ..29/5 16 Primary Examiner-Thomas H. Eager Attorney-Frank L. H. Zugelter et al.

57 ABSTRACT An apparatus for performing axially and radially located operations on a tubular metal construction. Specifically disclosed is a crimping operation. A crimping die assembly is mounted in a suitable frame connected to a pair of guide rails along which a slidable assembly is mounted for advancing a length of tubing to the die assembly. Means are provided to open and close the die assembly in its frame. A pin assembly mechanism is connected to the slidable assembly and cooperates with a pair of established elongated pattern bars which are disposed between the die assembly and the advancing means. The mechanisms pins are caused to register with the pattern bars so as to index the advancing assembly to one station to the next, along the length of the apparatus. Thus, the spacing between crimped ring elements along the length of the tubing is controlled, and an efficient, continuous operation is achieved. A pneumo-hydraulic pressure system is applied directly to the die assembly to actuate it in performing its crimping function.

18 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTED APR 3 I973 SHEET .1 BF 5 PATENTED APR 3 I973 FINKEL sum 2 m 5 ABRAHAM M. MIC

HAEL SURWILL INVENIORS.

M Kem A? rne PAIENIEDAPM am 3,724,053

ABRAHAM M. FINKEL MICHAEL SURWILL INVENTORS.

PATENTEDAPR 3 I973 SHEET 4 UP 5 ABRAHAM M. FINKEL MICHAEL SURWILL INVENTORS.

BY 'Aqcnt gtozey INTENSIFIER PRESSURE -72 SOURCE PATENTEDAPRB 1975 3,724,053

sum 5 [IF 5 ABRAHAM M. FINKEL MICHAEL SURWILL INVENTORS.

Aiem

BY M401,

APPARATUS FOR PERFORMING AXIALLY-AND- RADIALLY LOCATED OPERATIONS ON TUBULAR CONSTRUCTION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION ing to crimping operations on a tube or the like. Classes 29, Metal Working; 113, Sheet-Metal Ware, Working; and 138, Pipes and Tubular Conduits, U.S. Patent Office Classifications, may be the applicable general areas of art in which the claimed subject matter of the type involved here may be classified.

2. Description of the Prior Art Examples of prior art devices in the arts to which this invention most likely pertains are U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,733,455, 2,951,401, 2,954,064, 2,965,961, 3,019,520, 3,116,401, 3,343,252 and 3,484,931.

PROBLEMS IN THE PRIOR ART The crimping of a thin-walled metal tubing, without damaging it by the crimping operation, is difficult to accomplish. In addition, we are not aware of an apparatus which will perform a crimping operation in a continuous manner. Heretofore, such crimping operations have been performed primarily by manual techniques singly utilized with respect to crimping dies, as distinguished from an apparatus which is capable of performing a continuing series of crimping operations.

It is believed that the development of the subject matter of this invention solves the problem of crimping such a thin-walled metal tubular construction, such as, for example, titanium tube. In addition, this invention provides an apparatus that not only performs the specific operation known as crimping, but also provides an apparatus which is capable of performing radially and axially located operations on tubular configurations of various kinds. In other words, this invention is readily adaptable to performing the functions of say a punch press, or those functions of other similar metal working devices that are known in the arts as forming, staking, broaching, notching, bending, or any combination thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an apparatus which performs metal working on a tubular configuration which is not limited to oval or circular design, and in particular, relates in this illustrative embodiment to an application in which a ring-like element is crimped to a metal tube.

An object of this invention is to provide a novel apparatus which performs in an efficient and continuous mode of operation.

Another object of this invention is to provide a crimping or necking engagement of a ring-like element on a metal tubular construction without exceeding the elastic limit of the material of the tube. In such a case, then, the tube is not permanently deformed or upset whereby it would not return to its original configuration were the element to be removed therefrom.

Another object of this invention is to provide a mode of operation applicable to a bent or curved tubular construction in addition to that on linear constructions of tubing.

A further object of the invention provides for the elimination of obstruction in the area of operation in the apparatus, such as are found, for example, in punch presses and the like, whereby longer and thinner parts can be worked upon efficiently.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent upon a further reading of the following description, appended claims thereto, and the drawing accompanying this specification and comprising five sheets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical view, partly in vertical section, taken on a plane through an assembly portion of the device shown at the left end of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of an unactuated die assembly utilized in this embodiment for crimping the ring-like element, hoop, or the like upon the tube disposed in the apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, however, with the die assembly in actuated position.

FIG. 6 is a view taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 5, however, modified to show the die assembly in open condition.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a system for actuating paratus.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a manner of calculation by which the crimping position for the first uncrimped ring about the tube-may be ascertained.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawing in which reference characters therein correspond to like numerals in the following description, reference 20 (FIG. 1) refers generally to an apparatus embodying this invention. Apparatus 20 comprises generally a die assembly 21 (FIGS. 1, 4, 5, 6) for crimping a ring-like element, hoop, or the like 22 onto a tube 23 (FIGS. 4, 5), a mechanism 24 (FIG. 1) for opening the die assembly 21 from its closed condition in order to present an uncrimped element 22 on the tube 23 thereto and to withdraw therefrom the tube 23 with the crimped tube 22 thereon, a means 25 (FIGS. 1, 7), such as a pneumohydraulic system, for actuating die assembly 21 upon an uncrimped element 22 on the tube 23, an established pattern means 26 (FIGS. 1, 5) for predetermining the plane through the tube 23 at which a specific crimping operation is to take place, an assembly 27 (FIG. 1) for advancing a length of the tube 23 with respect to the die assembly 21, a sub-assembly 28 (FIGS. 2, 3) mounted on assembly 27 for cooperative action with the pattern means 26 to index assembly 27 as a length of tube 23 is fed to die assembly 21, a guide rail device 29 (FIGS. 1, 8) along which assembly 27 is slidably advanced with respect to die assembly 21, whereby a systematic, continuous and efficient crimping operation on a length of the tube 23 fed to the die assembly 21, preferably in either direction, is achieved.

The entire apparatus 20 may be easily, conveniently and suitably mounted on conventional floor standards, ground frame, or the like, for ease of operation by an operator. As such a mounting is not part of the invention, it is not illustrated.

Die assembly 21 is located at the one end of apparatus 20 and comprises a pair of complementary dies 30, 31 (FIG. 1). Each die 30, 31 is generally exemplified by the illustration of FIG. 6. Each die 30, 31 includes two split members 32 and 33 which are secured together by a suitable pivot sleeve (not shown) extending through complementary lugs 34, 35 formed on their associated ends of members 32, 33, respectively. Thus, an aperture 45 (FIG. 4) in the assembly of dies 30, 31 is formed so that a pin 39 may be introduced when die assembly 21 is set into its frame in apparatus 20, to maintain same therein. Generally, each of the dies 30, 31 is made of strong, suitable metal in order to provide complementary working surfaces 41 for properly crimping an element 22 on tube 23, and is of a depth (thickness) sufficiently to not buckle under an actuating force required to crimp such element. In the preferred em bodiment, the working surfaces 41 of dies 30, 31, respectively, are circular in nature; i.e., configured to the outer dimensions of the illustrated element 22 tobe-crimped. Of course, other configurations of surfaces 41 are possible, depending upon the dimensional nature of the element to-be-crimped and the article on which the crimping takes place.

The opposite ends of each pair of split members 32 and 33 also include integrally formed complementary lugs 42 adapted to have aligned apertures therethrough and through which a locking pin 43 therethrough locks die assembly 21 in its closed condition in its frame.

The dies 30 and 31 are assembled together independently of apparatus 20. FIGS. 4 and illustrate one manner of assembly of dies 30, 31 in order to form die assembly 21. A plurality of threaded Allen-head bolts 46 prevents separation of a member 32, 33 in die 30 from the corresponding member 32, 33 in die 31. Each bolt 46 is inserted through a countersunk bore in its split die member 32, 33 of die 30 to be threaded to its aligned cooperating bore in its corresponding split die member 32, 33 of die 31. A coiled spring 48 is seated in aligned opposing recesses 49 provided in the split die members 32 and 33. Thus, dies 30, 31 remain apart from each other in their die assembly 21 unless biasing spring 48 is overcome, and are not separated from each other in their die assembly 21 by means of threaded bolts 46. Such separation should, of course, be of a greater axial dimension than the element 24 to-becrimped.

Die assembly 21 is disposed and supported within a frame 50 (FIGS. 4, 5) by means of the pin 39 which is made sufficiently long to pass through apertures 51 in the bottom of each of a pair of spaced bolster plates 52, 53 comprising such frame 50. Bolster plates 52, 53 are suitably held in their respective positions by suitable connecting frame elements, all welded or bolted together. The frame 50 is also suitably secured to a base plate 54 stationarily positioned upon the guide rail means 29 which extends substantially the length of apparatus 20. For the purposes of a continuous crimping operation, base plate 54 is suitably made stationary on guide rail device 29, while the advancing assembly 27,

also mounted on guide rail means 29, is able to advance thereon with respect to die assembly 21. The bolster plates 52, 53 include openings 55 (FIG. 5) sufficiently large for passage therethrough of the tube 23 with one or more uncrimped elements 22 thereon and towards the heart of the die assembly 21.

In order to open the die assembly 21 from a closed or operable condition (and vice versa) for the introduction into its heart of the tube 23 and an uncrimped element 22 mounted thereon, the means 24 (FIG. 1) is provided. As this embodiment utilizes a means 24 which is duplicated to each lateral side of the frame 50, only one-half of the means 24 is illustrated in FIG. 1, as the same features illustrated in FIG. 1 are mounted on the back lateral side of frame 50 and function simultaneously with the illustrated features. The means 24 comprises a pair of rollers 58, each being seated upon the opposing outside walls of the dies 30, 31 for providing the push and support to close and to open die assembly 21. Each roller 58 is suitably mounted to a pair of arms 59 each of which lies to one side of the opposing outside walls of the dies 30, 31, as shown in FIG. 1. Each arm 59 extends to and is suitably rotatably mounted in a bracket 60 secured to each lateral side of bolster plates 52, 53. Means for simultaneously rotating each pair of arms 59 about its. corresponding brackets 60 is provided in order to open and close die assembly 21 in an expedient manner. In this illustrative embodiment, these means comprise linkages 61, 62 extending from the rotatable mounting for each pair of arms 59 to a bell-crank member 63 suitably rotatably mounted to an extension member 64 on bolster plate 52. A hand lever 65 is provided to rotate bell-crank member 63 and as the hand lever 65 is rotated, the linkages 61, 62 are actuated, each respective pair of arms 59 simultaneously swings, the rollers 58 ride upon the exterior or outside walls of the dies 30, 31, and the die assembly 21 opens or closes, as the case may be.

The means 25 (FIGS. 1, 7) is provided for actuating die assembly 21 in its operating position to crimp an element 22 onto tube 23. Each of a plurality of pneumo-hydraulic cylinders 67 are suitably secured to or mounted in corresponding apertures 68 (FIG. 4) provided in the one bolster plate 53 and which are conveniently located about its respective opening 55. In this manner, bent and/or curved tubing is capable of being crimped upon, although one of such devices can be centrally mounted of bolster plate 53 to perform the same function if desired. These devices 67 include pistons 69 linearly actuatable upon closing, by means of a valve 70, of a suitable pneumo-hydraulic conduit arrangement 71. This arrangement is connected to a pressure source 72 via valve and an intensifier or booster 73. The resulting force generated through this pneumo-hydraulic system acts simultaneously through all pistons 69 which are thus actuated to push the outside face of die 31 towards die member 30 and thereby crimp an element 22 on tube 23 by means of their working surfaces 41.

Devices 67 and 73 are well-known in the trade. An example of device 67 is a product sold under the mark Enerpac, and made by Applied Power Industries, Inc., Butler, Wisconsin. The device 73 is known in the trade as a booster or an intensifier, and the Procom Division of the Wilton Corporation, Schiller Park, Illinois, is one company which supplies the trade with this type of device. Its basic function is to provide a given air pressure across a large piston area and then to translate the large force generated to a piston head of small area, and thereby increase the force in front of such piston head. This force in turn is applied to oil in the conduits 71 leading to pistons 69 in order to move them with sufficient force against die 31. Die assembly 21 is thus actuated (FIG. 5) to crimp the element 22 to tube 23, overcoming the bias provided by the spring feature 48 mounted in the die assembly 21 and as shown in FIGS. 4, 5.

At the other end of apparatus the assembly 27 is slidingly mounted on the guide rails 29 by means of roller bearing members 74 (FIG. 1). A saddle member 75 is mounted, in any suitable manner, to a supporting base plate 76 which is suitably connected to the roller bearing members 74. An interchangeable shouldered head plate 78 is mounted forwardly of the saddle member 75 for supporting and engaging the one end of tube 23. Thus, as the end of tube 23 is caused to retain its engagement with the shoulder of head plate 78, assembly 27 advances the tube 23 in either direction along the length of apparatus 20.

The saddle member 75 includes a recess 80 between its two leg members 81, 82 for conveniently disposing the sub-assembly 28 therein. Sub-assembly 28, an assembly in and of itself, is adapted to cooperate with the pattern means 26 to index the advancing assembly 27 in a continuous crimping operation over a length of tube 23. Although not illustrated in the drawing, suitable means may be conveniently utilized to maintain a proper level disposition for and longitudinal alignment of the pattern means 26 longitudinally of the apparatus 20, whenever sub-assembly 27 does not engage such means 26 during any sliding or advancing movement of assembly 28 on bearing members 74 and relative to the die assembly 21. For example, a wooden plate standard setting across guide rails 29 at the extreme left terminus of apparatus 20 could support the left ends of the elongated bars constituting the pattern means 26, while also being suitably secured thereto to maintain alignment of such bars. Also, the legs 81, 82 of saddle 75 could be provided with U-shaped channels extending longitudinal of apparatus 20 to maintain proper alignment and elevation of such bars which would be seated in such channels.

Sub-assembly 28 comprises a cam 86 (FIGS. 2,3) horizontally disposed within the recess 80 for actuating one set of a plurality of sets of spring-biased pins 87. Each set of spring-biased pins 87 includes two aligned and opposing pins at a particular level in sub-assembly 28 and which are biased towards the center line for cam 86. Further, each pin 87 in each set extends in an opposite direction from the other, to and through its associated leg 81, 82 of the saddle 75. The inward biasing of these pins '87 may be simply'accomplished in the manner shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

The head of each pin 87, of course, faces its cor-' responding camming wall 88 of the cam 86. The other end of each pin 87 is adapted to register in one of a number of apertures A,, A A (FIG. 8) formed in its associated pattern means 26, suitably aligned and maintained against the legs 81, 82 of the saddle 75.

Cam 86 is fixedly secured to a vertically-disposed shaft 89 having a number of holes 90 thereon corresponding to the number of sets of pins 87 and accordingly spaced along shaft89 to the same extent that each set of vertically-disposed pins 87 is spaced one from the other. By manually raising and lowering shaft 89, cam 86 is caused to be disposed at any one of the number of levels at each of which a particular set of pins 87 is disposed. A straight pin 91 is provided for the hole 93, and is seated upon an elevated cross-bar member 94 secured to block 72 and through which shaft 89 projects. Thus, cam 86 is maintained at a desired level. A hand lever 96 is suitably provided for shaft 89 whereby cam 86 may be actuated by rotation, so that its camming walls 88 engage and cam two of a given set of pins 87 and thereby cause such pins 87 to seek translation outwardly of their associated legs 81, 82 and against pattern means 26.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 8, it will be observed that each pattern means 26 comprises at least one elongated bar having a plurality of levels L,, L L each thereof having a series of apertures A,, A A and in each of which series, a different spacing 5,, S S is provided. Such spacing in each level establishes, in effect, the distance along the length of the tube 23 between planes passing through it at which each element 24 is to be crimped. However, the registry of each set of pins 87 with an aperture A,, A A in a given level L,, L L indexes the assembly 27 to the pattern means 26 so as to constitute an indexing means as assembly 27 is caused to slide along guide rails 29.

Thus, the cooperative action between assembly 28 and pattern means 26 provides for control of the length of the tube 23 relative to die assembly 21 and its crimping function during a continuous crimping operation.

The critical dimension taken into consideration for determining the first plane from the end of thetube 23 at which the crimping operation is to take place is shown as D in FIG. 9; i.e., from a plane P passing through the first aperture A, of bar 26 to a plane coincident with the working surface 41 of the die 30. Thus, given a fashioned die 30 (and die 31) D can be readily calculated. In so doing, the bar 26 is first secured as at to a bracket 106 welded to the frame base plate 54. The actual measurement of D may be made upon properly seating die assembly 21 in its frame 50, and aperture A, is accordingly formed, and subsequent apertures A, at a spacings, between each thereof is fashioned. The same procedure is repeated for each series of apertures A A in their respective levels L L and desired spacings S S incorporated into the bar 26.

The operation of apparatus 20 should be apparent, however, a brief explanation follows. Initially, for each crimping run, a given set of dies 30, 31 are assembled into die assembly 21. Upon placement into closed condition, the die assembly 21 is introduced into frame 50 through its opening at the top, and lowered. Pin 39 is introduced through the bolster plate 52 and shoved through the pivot sleeve (not shown) provided in each die 30, 31 and thence further pushed through bolster plate 53 to secure the die assembly 21 in place in the frame 50. The inside wall 40 (FIG. 6) of bolster plate 52 should be flat, such as obtained by machining same,

in order that die 30 seats uniformly thereon in order to produce a true crimping on the tube 23 or a squaring of the element to the tube 23. (Other expedients may be used to achieve such truing or squaring, such as by a series of spaced adjustable bolt heads around bolster plate 52 and against which the outer side of die 30 would seat.) Die assembly 21 may now be opened and the means 24 is utilized to support and carry the weight thereof as dies 30, 31 pivot open about their pin 39.

A tube 23 with the uncrimped elements 22 thereon is longitudinally cradled in a suitable way (not shown) to the right of apparatus 20 so that its one end is introduced or fed through the opening 55 of bolster plate 53 to the die assembly 21. Should the distance between the end of the tube 23 and the plane P be less than the distance D, a filler element (not shown) may be utilized between the shoulder plate 78 and the end of the tube 23 in order to present the first desired plane across the tube 23.to the working surfaces 41. Once such distance exceeds the distance D, then, of course, the filler element is not needed, and the indexing function between pattern bar 26 and advancing means 27 provides the station-to-station or incremental advancement of the tube 23 as long as the end of the tube 23 continues to engage shoulder plate 78.

The first crimping operation is completed by closing and locking the die assembly 21 upon the uncrimped element 22 about the tube 23, and then energizing the pneumo-hydraulic system by actuation of valve means 70. Release of such system is then effected, and the die assembly 21 is unlocked and opened. The cradled tube 23 is manually caused to push against the shouldered plate 78 which in turn slides assembly 27 to the first or next aperture A (where the filler element is no longer required) in the bars 26. Sub-assembly 28, of course, is not in registry with any of such apertures A of pattern means 26. However, as cam 86 is once again cammed against the set of pins 87 corresponding to the level at which apertures A are disposed, assembly 27 is caused to slide in a to-and-fro manner in the proximity to the next aperture A so as to cause register of the pins 87 with such apertures A in the bars 26, thereby locking assembly 27 to the pattern means 26. The crimping operation may now again be undertaken.

A pair of stop pins 1 for the lever 96 which rotates cam 86 are suitably mounted on cross-bar 94 to control the extent of the registry of pins 87 in the apertures A Pursuant to the requirements of the patent statutes, the principle of this invention has been explained and exemplified in a manner so that it can be readily practiced by those skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, such exemplification including what is presently considered to represent the best embodiment of the invention. However, it should be clearly understood that the above description and illustrations are not intended to unduly limit the scope of the appended claims, but that therefrom the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and exemplified herein, by those skilled in the art, and having the benefit of this disclosure.

Therefore, what we claim as patentably novel is:

1. An apparatus for performing axially and radially located operations on a tubular shape comprising in combination,

a frame for disposition therewith of a die assembly or the like which is capable of performing either an axially or radially located operation or both on an article of tubular shape,

means for opening and closing such a die assembly or the like mounted on said frame,

means for actuating the die assembly or the like whereby such an operation or operations is performed on the article, and

means for advancing the article into said frame for presentation to the die assembly or the like for such an operation or operations thereon.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 including,

means for indexing said advancing means between one station and another whereby the article is presented to the die assembly or the like in incremental steps for such an operation or operations on the article.

3. An apparatus for crimping an element such as a ring element or the like about a tube or the like and comprising in combination,

a die assembly which upon actuation crimps such element to the tube or the like,

means for opening and closing said die assembly whereby the tube and element are presentable to and withdrawn from said die assembly,

means for locking said die assembly in its closed condition,

means for actuating said die assembly whereby the element is crimped about the tube, and

means for advancing the tube and element thereon to said die assembly.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein:

said actuating means comprises a pneumo-hydraulic system applied to said die assembly.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein:

said system comprises an air pressure source, an intensifier connected to said source, at least one hydraulically-actuated piston-cylinder assemblage connected to said intensifier and operable upon said die assembly, suitable conduits for connecting said source, intensifier, and assemblage operatively together, and means for energizing said system.

6. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein:

said advancing means comprises,

guide rail means leading to said die assembly, and means mounted on said guide rail means for engaging the one end of the tube or the like, whereby said engaging means may be caused to advance along said guide rails and thereby present to and withdraw from said die assembly a given plane along the length of the tube after such one end has engaged said engaging means. 7. The apparatus of claim 3 including means for indexing said advancing means between one station and another whereby the element is presented to said die assembly in incremental steps thereby achieving a continuous crimping operation on the element or the like. 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein: said indexing means comprises pattern means extending between said die assembly and said advancing means, and

means for registering with said pattern means whereby upon such registry, said advancing means is indexed to said apparatus.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said registering means is mounted to said advancing means.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein: said pattern means comprises at least one elongated bar disposed between said die assembly and advancing means, and at least one level of spaced apertures disposed in said bar and extending longitudinally of said bar, said registering means adapted to register with any one of said spaced apertures thereby indexing said advancing means. 11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said registering means is mounted to said advancing means.

12. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein: said registering means comprises at least one pin mounted in an assembly adapted to move in a corresponding manner with said advancing means. 13. The apparatus of claim 12 including means for causing said pin to register with a desired one of said spaced apertures mounted in said assembly. 14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein: said means for causing said pin to register is a camming means mounted in said assembly. 15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein: said camming means mounted in said assembly comprises a cam element having a camming surface, said surface in alignment with said one pin, and means for camming said surface against said pin to cause it to register with an aperture in said pattern means upon relative sliding motion between said advancing and pattern means.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein:

said means for camming said camming means is a rotatable shaft secured thereto and adapted to rotate.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said registering means is mounted to said advancing means.

18. An apparatus for crimping an element such as a ring element or the like about a tube or the like comprising in combination,

a die assembly which upon actuation crimp such element to the tube or the like,

means for opening and closing said die assembly,

means for securing said die assembly in its closed condition,

means for actuating said die assembly whereby such element is crimped about the tube,

guide rail means on which said die means is stationarily mounted,

an assembly including a shouldered plate and being slidably mounted on saidguide rail means,

means for indexing said assembly and including at least one pattern bar disposed between said die means and assembly and having at least one level of spaced apertures therein,

an assembled pin mechanism mounted in said assembly for locking a pin thereof in one of said spaced apertures so as to index said slidable assembly to said bar. 

1. An apparatus for performing axially and radially located operations on a tubular shape comprising in combination, a frame for disposition therewith of a die assembly or the like which is capable of performing either an axially or radially located operation or both on an article of tubular shape, means for opening and closing such a die assembly or the like mounted on said frame, means for actuating the die assembly or the like whereby such an operation or operations is performed on the article, and means for advancing the article into said frame for presentation to the die assembly or the like for such an operation or operations thereon.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 including, means for indexing said advancing means between one station and another whereby the article is presented to the die assembly or the like in incremental steps for such an operation or operations on the article.
 3. An apparatus for crimping an element such as a ring element or the like about a tube or the like and comprising in combination, a die assembly which upon actuation crimps such element to the tube or the like, means for opening and closing said die assembly whereby the tube and element are presentable to and withdrawn from said die assembly, means for locking said die assembly in its closed condition, means for actuating said die assembly whereby the element is crimped about the tube, and means for advancing the tube and element thereon to said die assembly.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein: said actuating means comprises a pneumo-hydraulic system applied to said die assembly.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein: said system comprises an air pressure source, an intensifier connected to said source, at least one hydraulically-actuated piston-cylinder assemblage connected to said intensifier and operable upon said die assembly, suitable conduits for connecting said source, intensifier, and assemblage operatively together, and means for energizing said system.
 6. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein: said advancing means comprises, guide rail means leading to said die assembly, and means mounted on said guide rail means for engaging the one end of the tube or the like, whereby said engaging means may be caused to advance along said guide rails and thereby present to and withdraw from said die assembly a given plane along the length of the tube after such one end has engaged said engaging means.
 7. The apparatus of claim 3 including means for indexing said advancing means between one station and another whereby the element is presented to said die assembly in incremental steps thereby achieving a continuous crimping operation on the element or the like.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein: said indexing means comprises pattern means extending between said die assembly and said advancing means, and meaNs for registering with said pattern means whereby upon such registry, said advancing means is indexed to said apparatus.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said registering means is mounted to said advancing means.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein: said pattern means comprises at least one elongated bar disposed between said die assembly and advancing means, and at least one level of spaced apertures disposed in said bar and extending longitudinally of said bar, said registering means adapted to register with any one of said spaced apertures thereby indexing said advancing means.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said registering means is mounted to said advancing means.
 12. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein: said registering means comprises at least one pin mounted in an assembly adapted to move in a corresponding manner with said advancing means.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12 including means for causing said pin to register with a desired one of said spaced apertures mounted in said assembly.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein: said means for causing said pin to register is a camming means mounted in said assembly.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein: said camming means mounted in said assembly comprises a cam element having a camming surface, said surface in alignment with said one pin, and means for camming said surface against said pin to cause it to register with an aperture in said pattern means upon relative sliding motion between said advancing and pattern means.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein: said means for camming said camming means is a rotatable shaft secured thereto and adapted to rotate.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said registering means is mounted to said advancing means.
 18. An apparatus for crimping an element such as a ring element or the like about a tube or the like comprising in combination, a die assembly which upon actuation crimp such element to the tube or the like, means for opening and closing said die assembly, means for securing said die assembly in its closed condition, means for actuating said die assembly whereby such element is crimped about the tube, guide rail means on which said die means is stationarily mounted, an assembly including a shouldered plate and being slidably mounted on said guide rail means, means for indexing said assembly and including at least one pattern bar disposed between said die means and assembly and having at least one level of spaced apertures therein, an assembled pin mechanism mounted in said assembly for locking a pin thereof in one of said spaced apertures so as to index said slidable assembly to said bar. 